Honestly, I could not make this up, even if I’d tried…

Mossad chief: Nuclear Iran not necessarily existential threat to Israel

Tamir Pardo says Israel using various means to foil Iran’s nuclear program, but if Iran actually obtained nuclear weapons, it would not mean destruction of Israel.

Juxtaposed to this nonsense…

IDF Chief: Nuclear Iran a threat to entire region, not just to Israel

Benny Gantz says Israel, international community can meet challenge of nuclear Iran through ‘proper preparations.’

So which is it, Israel…?

Just to refresh one’s memory, earlier this month, the previous Mossad Chief made his opinion well known…

Former Mossad chief: Israeli attack on Iran must be stopped to avert catastrophe

Former Mossad chief Meir Dagan warned Thursday against an Israeli attack on Iran, saying such a move would likely lead to a regional war involving Hezbollah, Hamas, and Syria.

“I’m concerned about possible mistakes and I prefer to speak out before there is a catastrophe,” Dagan said in an interview on the Israeli television program “Uvda.”

“I think that engaging, with open eyes, in a regional war is warranted only when we are under attack or when the sword is already cutting against our live flesh. It is not an alternative that should be chosen lightly.”

Anyways, it’s always refreshing to hear sober minds speaking the truth…! Here’s Antiwar’s Scott Horton doing the yeoman’s work…

First, this excellent interview with Flynt Leverett…

Iran ‘Threatens’ Self-Defense

Flynt Leverett, former Senior Director for Middle East Affairs at the National Security Council, discusses Iran’s threat to close the Strait of Hormuz, as a response to sanctions that may eventually cut off Iran’s oil exports; why the US and Israel don’t really have a problem with Iranian nuclear weapons, just Iran’s refusal to submit to US regional hegemony; Israel’s “red line” on Iran’s uranium enrichment at Qom; why US foreign policy planners don’t learn from prior mistakes (because superpowers don’t have to); and why waging war with borrowed money is a sure sign of a declining empire.

Then his awesome interview with the intrepid Gareth Porter…

No, Iran Did Not Do 9/11

Gareth Porter, independent historian and journalist for IPS News, discusses his article “Crackpot Anti-Islam Activists, ‘Serial Fabricators’ and the Tale of Iran and 9/11;” the US court judgement finding Iran liable for the 9/11 attacks in a civil lawsuit brought by victims’ families; the testimony of an Iranian defector, previously discredited as a “serial fabricator;” the alleged secret meeting between Iran’s leadership and OBL’s son, complete with miniaturized models of 9/11 targets and an ominously dangling toy missile; the anti-Islam groups peddling a grossly exaggerated, conspiratorial narrative in “Protocols of the Elders of Zion” style; and how Iran’s passport-stamping practices have become the basis of “material support” of al-Qaeda charges.

Btw, Benny Gantz being the misogynist beneficent chap that he is, further quipped…

“I would be happy if this phenomenon (Arab Spring) leads to democratic neighboring countries, but in case of negative developments there is room for concern,” he said. According to Gantz, poverty and economic hardship may strengthen radical and Islamists elements, “and that possibility seems more likely.”

Gantz also referred to segregation of women in the IDF, and said “there is no place for it.” Women “can take pride in their service and in their singing,” he said.

Charming lad, eh…?

Gotta love that religious fervor of the Haredi…!

Finally, it would appear that Iran has blinked…

Salehi: Iran ready to renew nuclear talks with world powers

Iranian Foreign Minister Ali Akbar Salehi said that the Islamic Republic is prepared to renew talks with the p5+1 group of world powers over its controversial nuclear program, the Tehran Times reported on Friday.

Speaking with Chinese Deputy Foreign Minister Zhai Jun in Tehran, Salehi said that Iran was prepared to reenter negotiations with the group made up of the US, Britain, France, Russia, China and Germany based on the “step by step” plan proposed by Moscow in July. The plan calls for a gradual easing of sanctions against Iran in exchange for the Islamic Republic disclosing details about its nuclear program.

Trita Parsi is right… Without renewed diplomacy, war with Iran lies around the corner…

Will saner minds finally prevail in the New Year…?

Hau’oli Makahiki Hou to all…! *g*